How a WRC rebel is becoming a title favourite

Ott Tanak has gone from being repeatedly dropped and swearing at M-Sport to leading Toyota's World Rally Championship charge. It's already a remarkable story, and it could have a spectacular ending

Malcolm Wilson doesn't swear. At least not without significant provocation. Even then he rarely reaches for the hardercore profanities. Which is what makes this story even harder for him to tell.

The tale takes us back to a time when Ott Tanak was in his team. He can't remember the precise rally in question, it doesn't matter. Tanak, it seems, had chucked another Fiesta at another tree and Wilson had seen enough. The Estonian was invited into Wilson's on-event office to discuss the matter. It wasn't the first time. Not the first shunt. Not the first rollicking.